Physical rehabilitation services in Iraq

摘要

In Iraq, little information is available to describe the scope of disability. However, WHO estimates that about 0-5% of the world population is in need of a prosthetic or orthotic device.1 This figure would mean that, of roughly 31 million Iraqi citizens,2155000 are in need of devices. As per standards of the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics and WHO, one qualified prosthetist or orthotist with three assistants can manufacture 250 devices per year; the lifespan of an appropriate device (ie, one that is well made, well aligned, fitted, and finished cleanly) is 3 years.2 Consequently, Iraq needs at least 208 qualified prosthetists and orthotists and 624 assistants to produce the minimum quantity of 52 000 devices per year. However, Iraq has fewer than 200 diploma-level prosthetists and orthotists and even fewer assistants, who receive only on-the-job training.